Here I go, don't know where, but I AM GOING!!!

Geo. I'm loving school. I have two weeks, and 4 days left. Hope you are able to start soon. You got some decent pre-hires, congrats!

As far as who I might go with once I graduate, I have a few I am trying to research before I make my choice since it's such a big decision. Schneider, TMC, US Express, are some I am heavily considering. I can't think of another profession where you have so many choices. It's like a highschool football player picking the college he will attend. I really liked your original post btw! I really hope you are able to see this through. I have a feeling you will dig this job. Again, best of luck, please keep us updated!

 

Do you have any idea about what time you will be beginning school Geo

 

there's jobs in composite if you have experience. I've even seen some listed in Pa. Down here in Dallas, out of our 15 person class and the 16 person class before, less than half of us have jobs, even tho it a "high-demand" job according to Texas Workforce. There's quite a few jobs, but most of them want at least 5 years exp. And if you're over 50 with no experience, there's no composite jobs.
If I had the $$$ to move, I'd go to Cali. Instead I'm trying to get a CDL. I'd go compostie in a minute, if I could. Good thing I really like driving! now I have to figure out how to get pre hire letters....
Mary

 

GEO if you get the chance look into anything oilfield driving related in Pa. Most of it involves some physical labor, but generally only short stints. In the long run the pay is far better for less days away.

 

How's everything going GEO? Keep us posted, really like this thread.

 

Similar to you, I was thrown under the bus by the company I worked for at age 48, and after going through the seven stages of mourning, standing in food lines, running out of unemployment, and basically living in a storage shed, I finally figured out how to get Government Aid, and went to truck driving school, so I know where you are coming from.

Do continue to research, and don't totally make up your mind until you get into school. I found I had more options than I knew.

I went with a smaller more unknown carrier that treats their people well. They gave me the option of Regional right off, which should give me more home time.

Be a little skeptical of the "top pay" claims, at first for the first year. I was told that you'd make from 25 to 29 K per year as a newbie.
Some people seem to expect 50K right off the bat.

Also remember that there is a huge drop out rate in Truck driving, (between 95% and 88% depending on who you're talking to).
From what I have been reading, the main reasons are:
Did not understand that "on the road" did not mean the same as "at home."
Thought they would have weekends off.
Had spouses or children insist that they could not live without them (It takes a special type of relationship to not get divorced).
Couldn't stand the boredom or stress.
Had accidents.
Were jerks or incompetent.


Like you, I did not exactly choose truck driving. It was the least of a dozen evils. I chose to make decent pay instead of working at Wall-mart, or MacDonald's. I usually am well prepared to do a job-- college courses and all that, but this is different because I have to admit that I know absolutely nothing. I need to be very open, and soak up the experience of the trainer, and everyone I meet. I haven't used that skill since I started working at 15 or 16-- the skill of being receptive, not fighting everything, not thinking I know everything already, the skill of surrendering. That is kind of tough for me, because I ran a department and had to constantly fight at work, and really, the thought that I don't have to push for resources, is a little foreign to me.

Good luck in your new career.

 

Olny thing I've ever done ...Drive trucks that is, finished high school then the army had plans for me for a while, got back home and relaxed for a spell and started driving a dump truck went from that to the TT's going out to the west coast til my wife had our 1st son I then was lucky enough to land a Great job in the food distribution industry with a company called Distron who delivered Burger King restaurants, I worked for them for 19 years til they relocated over 100 miles away and since I did not choose to relocate I took the 6months pay that they offered as severance and went to work for GSF , they delivered McDonald's restaurants , I worked there til 2010 and retired....trucking was very, very good to me and while I never did the OTR thing for a long period (five years or so total ) I have never 2nd guessed my career choice once...Good luck starting out , just keep in mind that like anything else you get back form it exactly what you put into it!

 

I like T street have now retired from OTR after 41 years. I wont lie to you it takes a special breed to be out here as long as i and a few others have been. The lifestyle is completly different. long hours, Traffic changing weather conditions and cranky dispatchers, shippers and recievers can make even the nicest person look for a shotgun..lol. you have to go into driving with out blinkers on you have to see the big picture and be strong otherwise you will get ate up and spit out fast. I was an Owner Operator for 38 of my 41 yrs and in the day it was not uncommon for us to hammer down and roll all day and nite. We didnt care about scales because we knew the way around them and we all kept 3 or 4 funny books. There was no such thing as Air Ride it was hard to keep a cup of coffee in your hand without burning you hand or other parts from bouncing down the road. Todays trucks are awsum and a complete difference from back in the day but like chompi and t street say you dont have to go over the road but it would be a great place to learn and get experience. plus you get to see the country and see just what life is like out here. If the funding is hard right now look into one the the Big Carriers Schools. You will do fine just dig and you will come up with the right answer that suits you. RW